Mauritania and Mali Finalize Contracts for Cross-Border Power Grid

The Manantali Energy Management Company (SOGEM) finalized the agreements, which focus on building high-voltage transmission lines connecting Kiffa, Tintane, and Yélimané. An additional link between Tintane and Aioun will reinforce domestic distribution in Mauritania, specifically targeting underserved communities. Supervision services are included in the deal to ensure the build meets international technical standards and adheres to the project's multi-year timeline.

Energy and Petroleum Minister Mohamed Ould Khaled framed the development as an "electric line of hope" for the region. The project serves as a key component of the African Development Bank’s Desert to Power Initiative, which targets 10 gigawatts of solar capacity across the Sahel. Once finalized, the 1,373-kilometre interconnection will integrate into the broader Mission 300 goal, an ambitious joint effort between the African Development Bank and the World Bank to provide electricity to 300 million people by 2030. Beyond grid stability, the new infrastructure is expected to lower production costs and catalyze industrial growth across the border zone.